morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 17, 2011 12:03:23 GMT -5
Does anyone see a harm or benefit in using snot from say your 220 tumble as a binder for your next batch of 60/90? Again I'm tumbling larger rocks and it would seem it would make a nice slurry to mix the snot with fresh grit on the first tumble. Am I off base here?
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Dec 17, 2011 14:23:56 GMT -5
Benefit. It will jump start the process and allow you to get grinding action sooner. Make sure to add some smaller rocks to the mix. If nothing else throw in some pea gravel.
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Post by Toad on Dec 17, 2011 23:30:27 GMT -5
Harm - you're taking up some volume in your barrel with spent grit, that space could be used with fresh 60/90 - more effective cutting.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Dec 18, 2011 9:28:49 GMT -5
I've given this a try, and consider it beneficial, our overall quality is better when we get to polish. One caution, if the load you plan to use the goop from is gassey, don't reuse it w/o keeping a very close eye for even more gas. The thinking here is that the used snot is a better grit carrier, and some padding too.
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 18, 2011 10:13:56 GMT -5
That's my thinking Quartz. The rocks I tumble weight a pound or more when they are on the first grind. I thought by adding the snot I would have a thicker slurry adding padding and a better medium for the grit to work.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Dec 18, 2011 11:06:50 GMT -5
One of the more fun aspects of tumbling is that there are so many things to try and experiment. Rocks and personal expectations are so variable that what works for one may not work for another.
Starting with some slurry already in place will hold the grit onto the rocks where grinding can occur. The slurry replaces water, add the usual amount of grit.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Dec 18, 2011 17:40:45 GMT -5
i reuse most of the time too.
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 18, 2011 19:28:43 GMT -5
I've never reused and am interested in hearing experiences. It seems that reusing would be helpful with soft and/or brittle rocks, but a retardant with the "toughies." Is that what experience tells those of you that do?
Susan
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Dec 18, 2011 19:58:01 GMT -5
I'm saving my rock snot lately.I've recently got an MJR 35 LB tumbler.I intend to use it in the tumbler as the second stage in the process and polish after.An old rockshop owner told me that in foreign countries they dont throw any away,just keep reusing it as it breaks down in the later stages.I only use 60-90 in my rotaries and run an extra week. I'll try this on the rocks that are too large to get in my Lot-o's,might work,might not.
snuffy
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Dec 18, 2011 23:31:08 GMT -5
Steve, right there with you. Getting back into tumbling has been way too much fun. I enjoy messing around with different stuff and building my own equipment more than anything. Plus playing with bigger specimens than the usual. I'm really not into the cabs or slabs so much. For me it's the hunt and tumble.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Dec 19, 2011 8:34:24 GMT -5
I reuse all the time- Especially in the 60-90 stage. My 12 Lber eats a LOT of grit everycharge and if I don't toss in some old "snot" the rocks don't seem to grind nearly as fast (and I will have grit left over after 2 weeks) A couple times I forgot to add the old stuff and I ended up with a very watery slurry with too much remaining grit. YMMV
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Post by gr on Dec 19, 2011 9:54:13 GMT -5
I'm hearing alot about reusing the coarser grits, ( I save and reuse all grit stages), but have any considered reusing the finer grit slurrys? Especially the cerium slurry. (cerium takes a lickin and keeps on tickin) The thicker slurry helps cushion in the polish stage as well. I use 2 liter pepsi bottles to save with. I let the bottles set for awhile and the working part settles to the bottom and then I pour off the water and have a nice thick soup/snot to reuse. Works great for me and less chipage in the end.........gr
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Dec 22, 2011 8:53:32 GMT -5
Gary I save and reuse all my polishes (especially Tin Oxide- man that stuff is getting PRICY). I find that the more you reuse the polishes the better they seem to get.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Dec 22, 2011 10:50:04 GMT -5
I recycle my polish slurry. I drape a paper towel on the edge of the container with one end in the slurry and the other end outside the container. The capillary action sucks water out of the slurry while the other end evaporates the water.
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Post by rocklicker on Dec 22, 2011 13:14:41 GMT -5
I just was dealing with snot last night and wondered the same thing. Next time I will be saving it.
Carlos, great idea for evaporating the final polish slurry. Steve
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 22, 2011 16:46:26 GMT -5
All of my rock snot goes in a 5 gallon bucket. I stretch a couple laters of cheese cloth over the top to keep bugs out, and just let it dry out. When I'm ready to start a fresh load in my 15 lb, I break off a hunk a little bigger than a golf ball and toss it in. Seems to speed up the 60/90 stage for me.
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Jan 1, 2012 11:26:44 GMT -5
I checked my 60/90 today and the progress is awesome. The slurry is perfect and the action is much better. Consider me sold on the rock snot.
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oghoagie
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2011
Posts: 17
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Post by oghoagie on Jan 1, 2012 12:41:14 GMT -5
When you are reusing are you just adding more rock and a recharge?
Or are you making a new batch then adding snott to it?
or both?
Also Jake if a golf ball is used for 15lb, how much for 3lb, a marble/dime?
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Jan 1, 2012 13:03:41 GMT -5
O, Here's how I rolled on this one. Pellets (used), used snot, and a fresh pound of 60/90. Rolled for 5 days and then a recharge of fresh 90. Checked after 2 days from the recharge and very impressed with the results. Rocks edges are completely gone and the pits are almost gone. Going to roll this for another 5 days and check again but I'm pretty sure I'll be stepping up to 220.
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morsefire
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 83
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Post by morsefire on Jan 1, 2012 13:04:56 GMT -5
Jake, I think O thought you meant real golfballs and that got me thinking. Yet another experiment!
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